I Can't Even..: What I've Been Up to Lately, When Not Blogging...

In the Kitchen

A must try. Jake loved these so much the first time I made them that he requested to have them once a week. Surprisingly, I have been doing just that. If you know me, this is a very rare event. I must really enjoy them, too (either that or they're a super easy meal option-try it yourself to find out!)

Kimchi Bokkeumbap

If you don't have access to a Korean store (or friend) to obtain the traditional Korean staple known as kimchi, more's the pity. This fried rice dish took me only 15 minutes to prepare (which is saying a lot for someone who tends to stretch a 20 minute prep time into 40 minutes), and paired with a salad or some sort of meat dish it would make for a completely satisfying meal. (It's probably a major faux pas in Korean cuisine, but I used brown rice and it still tasted amazing!)

What mine looked like

Enfrijoladas- (Homemade Refried beans recipe)

Since purchasing a pressure cooker in Brazil, I have sworn that it is my best kitchen tool. I love how much I can save by buying dried beans, which is why I included the refried beans recipe for this tasty Mexican dish. Not only fun to make, enfrijoladas also make an appeal as international 'comfort food', much like Kraft Dinner is to some people here (*cough cough* Jake *cough cough*)

Cold Soba and Cucumber Salad

The perfect medley of sweet and spicy, this recipe could be your gateway to cold noodle salad if you've never been a fan before. Delicious freshly made, even better five days later. Try it, and you won't be disappointed.

Dessert Honourary Mention: Oatmeal Raisin Cashew Cookies

Maybe you saw me go on about this one on Facebook already. Well I don't care. I LOVED this recipe. Super easy to whip up, the only thing that takes a bit of time is assembling them on the cookie sheet (since the batter is quite sticky and hard to work with). SO. WORTH. IT. Trust me, you need to make these today. If you are worried about the price of those fatty little cashews, a friend had success substituting them with mixed nuts, so NO EXCUSES. These will blow your mind.

On my Night table

Currently Reading:

Indigo: In Search of the Colour That Seduced the World, Catherine E. McKinley

The Chaperone, Laura Moriarty

Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster

I have been having the hardest time getting through these books. They are all amazing, but I have been too distracted to sit down and just read.

Read:

Night Road, Kristin Hannah

If you want a good cry and a time to rage about the unfairness and tragedy of life, this is the book for you. I always enjoy Hannah's writing. She goes into so much detail that you can almost imagine yourself experiencing the joys and sorrows with the characters. A great read about the coming-of-age and overcoming stigmas about ourselves, this book had much to offer in way of revenge masquerading as justice, redemption, and learning how to forgive.

First Time Mom: Getting Off On the Right Foot From Birth to Grade One, Kevin Leman

I know what you're thinking- isn't that a broad age gap to span? Well, it is and it isn't. No, the baby hasn't even arrived yet, but it's always good to start thinking about the future. Often situations creep up on us in ways that leave us flabbergasted and unable to react appropriately. I feel a little more prepared for what is to come from having read this book.

The Cuckoo's Calling, Robert Galbraith

I'm sure most of you know by now that this is J.K. Rowling's latest, penned under her not-so-secret pseudonym. I enjoyed this mystery novel. Even though it was slow and somewhat repetitive at times, Galbraith delved into the deep character development that is so true to Rowling's nature and story-telling characteristics.

**Caveat Emptor: There is A LOT of swearing in this book

Through my headphones

Your Great Name, Natalie Grant

Brave, Sara Bareilles

Tidal Wave, Sub Focus

Jiya Re, from the Bollywood movie Jab Hak Tai Jaan

Favourite Online Articles

Diana Nyad's historic swim- I was so impressed with this woman's tenacity and will to overcome any obstacle. She is a definite role model for perseverance in my books!

How to Keep Green Onions for Days- Finally!

How to Make Popcorn in the Microwave- I once bought an air popper from Value Village, and it broke on the second use. Since then I have been lamenting over a severe lack of popcorn, and I don't always have time to make it on the stove. I stumbled across a couple of articles for making loose popcorn kernels in the microwave. First I tried the brown paper bag method(which worked but ended up burning a little-also, mega waste of brown paper bags!) as well as using a glass casserole dish with a fitted lid (which availed only 15-20 popped kernels.) After about 5 failed attempts, I then discovered this article, and my life has significantly 'popped'. It turns out that all I needed was a little bit of ventilation for success and delicious, perfectly popped, homemade microwave popcorn.

Favourite Teaching Aids

Controversial Statements- I always enjoy these kind of agree/disagree lessons with my students, and they seem to be challenged by the discussions

Have you ever...?- Some of these questions are random, but they help us to talk about things we might not have otherwise, such as 'eating frogs' legs'. Surprisingly, more people have tried them than you think!

The Game of 'What?'- I use the scenarios in this game to generate creativity in thinking 'outside-of-the-box'

Readings in my Bible

Philippians

Judges

Again, the distraction problem is real. Yesterday I stopped reading so that I could look up something baby-related online. It would seem that my priorities are out of alignment.

Movies Worth Mentioning

Jab Hak Tai Jaan- a great and fun Bollywood film (find it on Netflix). Be prepared for 3 hours of cheesy songs and romance, as is the custom with much of Bollywood. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Wolverine- because Hugh Jackman. That is all.

Elysium- I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this newest one from Matt Damon. A new take on the old theme of separation of the classes, it kept me on my toes the entire time. I also loved the surprise ending in this futuristic action flick.

Enjoyment

Baking/cooking

Walks and movies with Jake- we even went to the drive-in, which was a first for me!